Everyman Theatre Company’s longstanding summer theatre extravaganza is back with a diverse programme from contemporary Shakespeare adaptations, to West end hit plays, a DreamWorks family musical to live music and comedy from special guests.
Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival, June 20 to July 27, 2024 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, with undercover audience seating.
Festival Chairman, Paul Williams, said: “We are thrilled to launch our 2024 line up which has been carefully curated to appeal to as wide a range of tastes as possible, so that everyone can have the chance to experience the unique magic of Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival. Our diverse programme of plays, family musicals, comedy, live music and even gardening Q&A offers something for everyone. And thanks to our incredibly dedicated and generous team of volunteers who help stage this unique festival each year, we are offering tickets at very accessible price points to ensure that during this cost of living crisis, price is not a barrier to entry – we want our Festival to be as inclusive as possible, enabling people regardless of background to experience the intimate and memorable joy of live, open air theatre.”
In addition to the ticketed performances, audiences can relax and soak up the atmosphere in the courtyard bar before and after each show, looking out across the iconic Castle Grounds.
Kicking off the Festival this year is a modern adaption of Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST (June 20 to 28 – 28) directed by Richard Tunley. Blurring the lines between reality and illusion, castaways navigate a reimagined tale of sorcery, revenge and forgiveness. Set against the backdrop of a plane crash on a mystical, remote island, this contemporary production blends the timeless magic of Shakespeare’s dark comedy with the gripping supernatural intrigue of sci-fi hit TV drama ‘Lost’.
The fast, frenetic and fiendishly funny ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS follows July 4 to 13. Directed by Simon H West, the West-end show set in 1960s Brighton is a tale of disguise and deception. The chaotic but loveable Francis accidentally finds himself working for two guvnors. Now all he has to do is keep his double employment a secret, earn a few quid, win the heart of Dolly and – most importantly of all – find some lunch.
The Broadway musical GUYS & DOLLS rolls its dice July 18 to 27. Directed by Gregory Ashton, prepare for colourful New York street scenes to be injected into the Welsh open air This feel-good sensation is famed for its wit, heart and unforgettable toe-tapping score.
The award-winning Everyman Youth Theatre (Winners of National Theatre Connections) return to perform Shakespeare’s classic tale of two star crossed lovers and their tragic demise. Directed by Sarah Bawler, ROMEO & JULIET is on July 7 and 21.
Directed and choreographed by Emma-Jayne Parker and based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway show, SHREK, The Musical Jr. is performed from July 20 to 27.
In addition to Everyman Theatre’s productions, Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival iincludes special guest performances for added comedy, live music and even gardening know how.
On June 23 the Festival welcomes ABBA tribute band RËVIVAL™. The live music continues with the tribute act FRANKIE’S GUYS on June 29, bringing the sound of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. On June 30 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL STAND UP IN THE PARK is a comerdy show with the line-up of comedy stars will be announced later this Spring. And For the first time, the Festival iincludes BBC Radio 2’s gardening guru Terry Walton in a live Q&A session on July 12 helping both experienced and first time gardeners alike.
Tickets are priced at £25 for most shows with family musical SHREK, The Musical Jr priced at £15 or a family ticket is available for £52 admitting 4 people.
Book tickets: https://cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk/whats-on/
Box office: 0333 666 3366
Social media (Facebook/X/Instagram): @CDFOpenAirFest
https://cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk/
Everyman Theatre Company productions
The Tempest
20 – 28 June*/ Mehefin @ 20:00
22 June /Mehefin @ 15:00
*No performance on 23 June/ Nid oes perfformiad 23 Mehefin
Tickets/Tocynnau: £25
One Man, Two Guvnors
4-13 July/Gorffennaf @ 20-:00
Matinee 15:00 on 6 & 13 July/Gorffennaf
* No performance on 7 July / Nid oes perfformiad 7 Gorffennaf
Tickets/Tocynnau – £25
Guys & Dolls
18 – 27 July/Gorffennaf @ 20:00
20 & 27 July/Gorffennaf @ 15:00 * No performance on 21 July / Nid oes perfformiad 21 Gorffennaf
Tickets/Tocynnau – £25
EVERYMAN YOUTH THEATRE presents
Romeo & Juliet
7 & 21 July/Gorffennaf @ 20:00
Tickets/Tocynnau £15 (Fam. £52)
SHREK, THE MUSICAL JR.
20 July/Gorffennaf 10:30 & 12:30
21 July/Gorffennaf 12:00 & 14:30
23 – 26 July/Gorffennaf: 12:00 & 14:30
27 July/Gorffennaf: 10:30 & 12:30
Tickets/Tocynnau £12.50 (Fam.£52)
Festival Special Guests
ABBA / RËVIVAL™ Tribute Band
23 June/Mehefin @ 20:00
Tickets/Tocynnau £25
FRANKIE’S GUYS
A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS
29 June/Mehefin @ 20:00
Tickets/Tocynnau £25
Stand Up in the Park
Amnesty international
30 June/Mehefin @20:00
Tickets/Tocynnau £15
Gardeners Question time with BBC’s Terry Walton
Sesiwn Holi Garddwr gyda Terry Walton o’r BBC
12 July/Gorffennaf– 14:30 – £7
BOX OFFICE
www.cardiffopenairtheatrefestival.co.uk
0333 666 3366 0333 666 3366
Mon to Fri 09:00 -19:00 Llun I We: 09:00 – 19:00
Sat: 09;00 – 17:00 Sad: 09:00 – 17:00
(Exc. Bank Holidays) (Eith. Gwyliau Banc)